Overcoming a shrinking talent pool

It has always been a challenge for businesses in New Zealand to find great people. This is an ongoing problem that has been made more acute by our borders being closed to immigration for so long. With immigration opening up it is important that all businesses look at the skills that they will need to succeed in the future. What does our business future look like? How can we adapt, survive and thrive? The answer from my perspective and many of the companies we recruit for has been to explore less traditional options when hiring. When we stop dipping into the same pool and become open to embracing a diverse pool of skills and capabilities, we can make some great hires. Many people have unique skills that are transferable across a wide range of industries. As employers we need to be more flexible and offer on the job training, mentoring and coaching to develop our future work force. Everyday I see smart employers recognising that many technical skills can be learnt by people providing they possess the right mindset. Hiring people has always been challenging, but it how we respond to these new challenges we face that will determine our success in the future.